Community improvements are top priority

Improvements to Sun City’s amenities will continue next year as residents will see a kayak launch at the Riverbend dock, a new gate system and more garden plots at Okatie Farms, it was announced at the Nov. 14 annual meeting.

Next year’s capital projects also include new parking spaces at the Riverbend Lodge, Woodworkers Building and Nature Trail. The Woodworkers building will also be expanded and a comfort station will be built at the Nature Trail. A new sound system at the Lakehouse, video surveillance at the RV park, online ticket reservations, the second phase of digital imaging software and upgrades to the Okatie Creek Golf Course are also on the rundown next year, among other projects, Finance Committee Chair Al Burfeind said during the committee’s 2013 budget presentation.

The 2013 budget, which includes those capital projects, was approved by the board of directors during a special meeting after the annual meeting.

Revenues next year will increase from $17.6 million to $18.2 million. Expenses will increase from $16.7 million to $17.2 million. Capital projects are anticipated to cost $662,000. The association anticipates a $355,095 surplus in 2013.

Homeowners’ base assessment will increase $50 to $2,000. Each lot will be billed $500 every three months. The increase will mostly go toward operational costs as the association had to budget for general inflation and increased costs in utilities, gas and insurance. The reserve contribution, which is included in the base assessment, will stay the same as last year at $260 per lot.

Compared to 2009, the portion of the homeowner assessment that goes to operational costs actually decreased $8, from $1,658 four years ago to $1,650 in 2013.

A breakdown of the association’s budget and assessment information, including Villas, can be found in the annual meeting PowerPoint presentation, which was posted on Sun City’s website. More information can also be found in the 2013 Fee Schedule, which will be delivered this week with the December issue of SunSations.

Allison Tucker, president of the board of directors, thanked the finance committee for its budget work. Meetings on the 2013 budget began over the summer.

“On behalf of the entire board of directors, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the members of the finance committee for their efforts to produce the 2013 budget,” she said.

The 2013 strategic goals were also announced during the annual meeting. These goals will focus on communication, financial management, governance, infrastructure and lifestyle, board vice president Jo Stephey said.

The association will focus on creating a comprehensive communication plan that will define the flow of communication and promote Sun City’s vision and mission statement. The association will also work to create a long-term fiscal strategy and financial plan to meet current and future costs of operating Sun City.

Among other strategic goals, the association will continue to educate residents about how the community is governed and will acquire all documents needed to manage Sun City Hilton Head in the future. Infrastructure will be maintained to ensure the support of current and future needs around the community, and the Association will work toward adopting green technology without compromising the community’s aesthetics. Promoting the active lifestyle, including encouraging the diversity of recreation, social and cultural opportunities, and exploring emerging trends in the active adult industry, are also included in next year’s goals.

“I mean who knows what the next Pickleball will be? I didn’t even know about that a few years ago,” Stephey said.

The association will also continue to encourage residents to volunteer. Stephey said that residents’ involvement in the community makes Sun City stand out among other communities.

“I really believe that the high level of volunteerism contributes to (the community’s) character,” she said.

The association will use the strategic goals to develop both operational and SMART goals. The complete Goals and Objectives document will be available on the website once it is completed.

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